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San Francisco Fringe 2017

Stories Hardly Worth Telling

Logan T. Smith

Genre: Comedy, Stand-Up

Venue: Exit Theatre

Festival:


Low Down

“Canadian Stand-up Comedian Logan T. Smith brings laughter to the unpleasantries of life as he tells stories from his experience. Growing up in a big family, seeking work after school, and working in Pest Control are the main inspirations for Stories Hardly Worth Telling. Logan T. Smith brings comedy to life in a clean way that won’t make you blush, even when watching with your mom.”

Review

Wearing a light gray suit Logan T. Smith speaks about his family, religion and life. His low-key delivery matches his mild-mannered persona and wit. Smith has a good presence, and is an affable fellow, plus he can be amusing. He relates to the audience during his show and is articulate. Sometimes his commentary on every day life is naïve and literal, such as when analyzing phrases like “raining cats and dogs”.

Unfortunately, many of his ideas and anecdotes are basic and predictable, which is a shame because he is a sincere and smooth performer, plus a bit of a philosopher at times. Smith gets the polite audience involved (at first) in his imperturbable rant about things – loyalty points, fashion. The pacing is slow throughout. He continues in this vein with his show aptly titled Stories Hardly Worth Telling and vents more about his minor frustrations regarding other clichéd subjects – by now some of audience members are staring into a void or are reading the program – and wow, we are only half way through the sixty-minute show! There are one or two interesting physical moments, which bring a gentle visual fun at the time, and more physical comedy would certainly be welcome!

This show is more of a character telling his thoughts and anecdotes placidly than a stand-up comedy show, for there are few punch lines (if any) and although it started out with funny bits and mild laughter, after the half way point it did not sustain itself. Given Smith’s afore mentioned good qualities as a character and performer it might be advantageous for him to look at the crafting of the show and to develop it more – with perhaps a less juvenile outlook. As an example of the writing, a strange transition is a segway from using bathrooms to eating chicken wings.

This piece could hold true to the character’s intent if it were cleverly written through its observations of life, which move ahead of the audience’s thinking. In its present format the material is easily anticipated by the audience – before Smith completes his thought – because the detail he uses for each idea is way too long, not so interesting, and we have heard it all before.

Published